Ten Ways to Piss off a Pagan

* Be considerate, rearrange their altar so it will look neat.

* Blow out their altar candle if it is still day light. (No need to waste a good candle!)

* Pick up their gems for a closer look.

* Sharpen their dull black-handled knife.

* Witness to them about the "true religion".

* Untie the knots in their cord.

* Take hold of their jewelry for a closer look.

* Play card games with their Tarot cards.

* Ask them if they are Satan worshippers.

The Symbolic Great Rite

“As our beloved Lord is to our beloved Lady
So is the athame to the chalice
That union being the Creator
That union being all that has been created
That union being my love and I.”

Invitation to the Lord and Lady

“Here do I invoke to aid my goal
My Father above and Mother below
Here do I invoke to bless this rite
Our Lord and Lady upon this night.

Here do I invoke that I may be whole
Their love into
My mind, body and soul
For thou art the gods that were
Thou art the gods that will be
And thou art the gods that are.”

Lustral Baths and Recipes

* Mix equal amounts of each herb with sea salt.

* Bundle it into cheesecloth and fill the tub with scalding water. Get in when the temperature is comfortable.

* When having the bath, try to think of nothing. Empty your thoughts.

* Take a palm full of sea salt and slowly let it run from your hand into the water. As you do, see the union of sky and Earth in your bath.

* Watch the water go down the drain, taking all your problems, worries and stresses with it.

* Infusion: Boil the ingredients over the stove. Allow to cool, strain and set aside for when needed.

Initiation Bath
2 parts rosemary
1 part sandalwood chips

Divination Bath (simple)
2 parts rose
1 part yarrow

Divination Bath (better)
3 parts damiana
2 parts thyme
2 parts yarrow
1 part rose
1 part nutmeg
1 part cinnamon (can be a skin irritant)

General Lustral Bath (for Sabbats)
3 parts rosemary
2 parts galangal
1 part ginger
1 part cinnamon
* Used to clean the soul as well as the mind.

Habit Breaking Bath
3 parts lemongrass
2 parts sage
2 parts rosemary
1 part lavender

Healing Bath
3 parts rosemary
2 parts peppermint
1 part rose
1 part lavender

Love Bath
3 parts lovage
2 parts rose
1 part orris root
1 part dill seed

Lust Inspiring Bath (for men)
2 parts jasmine
1 part rose
2 vanilla beans

Lust Inspiring Bath (for women)
2 parts patchouli
1 part rose
1 part myrtle

Prosperity Bath
3 parts patchouli
2 parts basil
1 part cedar
1 part clove

Protection Bath
2 parts pine needles
1 part bay leaf
1 part basil

Sleep Bath
3 parts lavender
1 part rose

Writer Talisman: A Ritual

Select a stone of your choice - it can be one with a writing correspondence, or simply one that you find pleasing. Cleanse the stone, then charge by placing it on your altar or under sun/moonlight for another 24 hours.

When you are ready to empower the talisman, dissolve some sea salt in a small bowl of water, and light a candle. Dip your fingertips into the sea salt water and anoint the stone as you repeat the following:

I bless this stone with water.
May the waters of inspiration flow through me!

I bless this stone with the salt of the earth.
May earth s constancy embolden me!

Now pass the stone above the candle flame as you repeat the following:

I bless this stone with air.
May air s transcendence blow through me!

I bless this stone with fire.
May the passions of fire inspire me!

Earth, air, fire, and water, now held within this stone.
May they gift me with energy and joy as I ply my craft.

Set the stone on your desk. Apply it to your crown chakra for inspiration.

Writer Charm

1) Begin with a 6 inch square of white fabric (the four sides represent the four elements).

2) On that fabric, place one or two pieces of citrine or hematite, a sprig of rosemary, and some fresh shavings from a pencil you write with.

3) Add a small piece of paper on which you’ve inscribed several stars. Recite the following:

Gathered here, within this square,
Signs of creative power.
Embolden thus my magick craft,
That I may write for hours.

4) Tie the fabric square shut and place it on your desk, or in the location that you do most of your writing. When you sit down to write, imagine that energy is pouring from the charm, ready to inspire your writing.

5) Each time you sit down to write, hold the charm in your hand and repeat the above rhyme. This will recharge the charm, allowing it to work indefinitely.

Solitary Affirmation Ritual

Place a flame at the north point of the stone circle, saying:

“I give honour to the Lands of my Gods,
Ancient and good.
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the east point, saying:

“I give honour to the Winds of my Gods
Ever fresh and new,
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the south point, saying:

“I give honour to the warm Sun of my Gods,
Ever giving of new life,
And the power that is within.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the west point, saying:

“I give honour to the seas and lakes
And rivers of my Gods,
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Stand before the altar and place a light before the Rune of Odin, saluting and saying:

“hail Odin, giver of victory,
Thou who knowest the runes of wisdom,
And of power.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the strength of thy
Ancient ways.
Give me of thy wisdom.
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Odin!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention to Odin, and then drink in his honour. Next place a light before the Rune of Thor, saluting and saying:
“Hail Thor, laughing, red-bearded
Thundered and guardian.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the joy and robust power of thine
Ancient Ways.
Give me of thy might, and of thy laughter
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Thor!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention before Thor, and then drink in his honour. Next place a light before the Rune of Freya, saluting and saying:

“Hail Freya the Fair One,
Beautiful enchantress, jewel of the Gods
And chooser of the mortals who are most honoured.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the magick and beauty
And triumph of thine Ancient Ways.
Give me of thy pride and persuasion
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Freya!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention before Freya, and then drink in her honour.

Stand silently for a long while, meditating on the presences of the Old Ones, the Gods of our folk who are eternally young, eternally powerful, and returning again here and now to cast their sacred presences about you. Sense their power about you. Now is the time to add any words which you would deem appropriate, for yourself or for others.

When you feel that the rite should end, face the runes of the Gods and take up the chalice one last time, saying:

“O Great Ones of High Valhalla,
I give honour to thee
For being with me here.
May some of thy presences
Remain within me as I leave.
And be ever near me, as well as with
Those who are my true people.
To thee do I drink this toast,
And pour this libation.
Hail Freya! (salute)
Hail Thor! (salute)
Hail Odin! (salute)

Pour some of the drink out before the altar, and drink what remains. Then put out the candles at the North, East, South and West. Stand before the altar with your arms out, saying:

“I thank thee, O Great Ones.
The rite is ended.”